PFAS Contamination Found in Nine Residential Development Plots at Tel Aviv's Former Sde Dov Airport Site
The soil contamination scandal at the former Sde Dov Airport site in Tel Aviv has deepened with the revelation that nine plots contain pollutants from PFAS compounds. Last week, Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection sent a stern letter to Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality CEO Menachem Laiba, demanding an immediate halt to infrastructure work in the Sde Dov development area. The ministry's investigations found PFAS contamination in nearly all nine tested plots, raising concerns about widespread pollution across the entire project area.
These nine plots, numbered 103, 105, 106, 107, 301, 305, 2102, 2206, and 2207, are slated for residential projects by major real estate companies including Claude Nahmias, Damari, Gindi, Shikun & Binui, Pershkovsky, and Hadas Capital. Despite the contamination findings, construction has not been officially stopped, and some companies claim they received official clearance from the ministry stating their plots are clean. For example, Claude Nahmias reported comprehensive soil surveys with no PFAS exceedances, while Pershkovsky Investments said two of their plots remain under testing and one received clearance.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection emphasized that excavation and removal of contaminated soil must only occur after proper sampling and approval, warning that premature work could endanger public health and groundwater sources. The ministry reiterated its commitment to oversee and guide all stakeholders professionally. It also noted that initial PFAS findings were publicly disclosed in February 2023, and that the full sampling results will be transparently published once finalized.
This controversy arises amid plans for approximately 17,000 new housing units in the area, intensifying scrutiny over environmental safety and regulatory compliance. The ministry insists that Tel Aviv Municipality regulate construction activities strictly according to environmental guidelines to prevent health risks to current and future residents.
Summary: Nine plots at Tel Aviv's former Sde Dov Airport site show PFAS contamination, prompting the Ministry of Environmental Protection to demand a halt to construction. Despite contamination, some developers claim clearance, while the ministry warns of health risks and insists on strict oversight. Residential projects involving thousands of new homes are affected.
